ADDENDUM O. GFS Insider Info

Transcription

1 ADDENDUM O GFS Insider Info

2 1 NOW IN STOCK DISCONTINUED SUPPLY ISSUES PRICE CHANGES CUSTOMER VERSION a publication of GORDON FOOD SERVICE PRODUCT UPDATES MARKET UPDATES Beef Pork Poultry Seafood Wheat Soybeans Sugar Green Beans Berries Green Cabbage Carrots Citrus Cucumbers Seedless Cucumbers Eggplant Limes Onions Green Peppers Hothouse Peppers Radishes Zucchini and Yellow Dairy GFS Cheese Sauces Local Produce Tangerines Rubbermaid Pelouze and Taylor Products Newsletter Sign Up Sign up to receive s with timely and relevant news, Gordon Food Service product information, services, and safety topics that will help you to stay on top of industry trends and keep your business running effectively. Sign Up Now ARPIL 22, Gordon Food Service

3 Page 2 of 18 NOW IN STOCK Pack Description Additional Information Grocery & Bakery /8 ct. GFS 5.5 Whole-Grain Sub Buns Reduced sodium ct. Welch s Blackberry Jam, 0.5 oz. Made with real Non-foods & Beverage /13.5 flz. Argo Carolina Honey Iced Tea Natural fruit flavors and cane /13.5 flz. Argo Red Sangria Iced Tea sugar /90 ct. Sani Professional Table Wipes Turners All-purpose cleaning wipes

4 Page 3 of 18 PRODUCT UPDATES Center of the Plate LIVE L OBSTER PRICING 04/01/ /30 / Pound Per Case Lobster Description GFS Item Price per (Size Range) # Lb Chix lb lb $11.57 Quarters lb lb $11.57 Halves lb lb $11.57 Three lb lb $11.57 Quarters Selects lb lb $ lb lb lb $ lb 3.00 lb lb $ lb lb lb $11.57 Grocery & Bakery GFS Che ese Sauces The following GFS cheese sauces will be in a packer label until approximately May 27, 2013: Item Number Description GFS Sharp Cheddar Cheese Sauce, 6/# GFS Nacho Cheddar Cheese Sauce, 6/#10 Fruits, Vegetables & Dairy Current Item Codes coming from local farms (MI, IN, OH, WI) Beets MI Tangerines Tangerines, ct. 40 Ib. reorder number are seasonally out of stock. Non-Foods & Beverages Rubbermaid Pelouze and Taylor Products Thermometers, timers and scales are transitioning from Rubbermaid Pelouze to Taylor. Customers will begin to see the new Taylor products on an item-by-item basis as we deplete the current Rubbermaid Pelouze inventory. APRIL 22, Gordon Food Service

5 Page 4 of 18 The items listed below changed to new reorder numbers: Old: Rubbermaid Pelouze New: Taylor Item Description Item Description Pelouze Digital 6 Ib. Portion Scale, Taylor Electric Digital 11 Ib. Portion Scale, 1 ct. 1 ct Pelouze Digital 2 Ib. Portion Scale, Taylor Electric Digital 32 oz. Portion Scale, 1 ct. 1 ct Pelouze Digital 25 Ib. Portion Scale, Taylor Electric Digital 50 Ib. Portion Scale, 1 ct. 1 ct Pelouze Digital 25 Ib. Portion Scale, Taylor Electric Digital 50 Ib. Portion Scale, 1 ct. 1 ct. We are also adding seven new items from Taylor: Item Description Taylor Thermocouple Thermometer, 1 ct. Temperature:-40/ Taylor Digital Freezer Thermometer, 1 ct. Temperature:-4/ Taylor Digital Waterproof Timer, 1 ct Taylor Digital Scale, 1 ct. 22 Ib Taylor Digital Waterproof Thermometer, 1 ct Taylor Digital Waterproof Thermometer, 1 ct Taylor Digital Oven Thermometer, 1 ct. Temperature:-4/140 Contact your Customer Development Specialist or Product Specialist for complete list of impacted items.

6 Page 5 of 18 DISCONTINUED Item Description Sub Description Issue Center of the Plate Trident Seafood Breaded Baja Alaskan Pollock Sticks, 10 Ib Trident Whole-Grain Breaded Alaskan Baja Pollock Fish Sticks, 10 Ib Trident Seafood Crunchy Breaded Trident Whole-Grain Breaded Pollock, 3.6 oz., 10 Ib. Alaskan Pollock Fish Sticks, 10 Ib Trident Seafood Crunchy Breaded Trident Crunchy Breaded Pollock Pollock, 3.6 oz., 10 Ib. Wedge, 3.6 o z., 10 Ib Commodity Buffalo Marinated Tyson Hot & Spicy Whole-Grain Chicken Tenders, 4/5.2 Ib. Breaded Chicken Tenders, 1.13 oz., 450 ct Tyson Breaded White Chicken Meat Tyson Whole-Grain Breaded Patties, 4.16 oz., 114 ct. Chicken, 3.49 oz., 150 ct. Vendor Vendor Vendor Vendor Vendor Commodity Hot & Spicy Breaded Chicken Tenders, 1.11 oz., 432 ct Tyson Hot & Spicy Whole-Grain Breaded Chicken Tenders, oz., 450 ct. Vendor Fruits, Vegetables & Dairy Rapid Russet 3/8 x 3/4" Steak Cut GFS 3/8 x 3/4" Steak Cut French French Fries, 6/5 Ib. Fries, 6/5 Ib. Transitioning to New Product Rapid Russet 5/16 Crinkle Cut GFS 5/16 Crinkle Cut French Transitioning French Fries, 6/5 Ib. Fries, 6/5 Ib. to New Product Rapid Russet 5/16 Regular Cut French Fries, 6/5 Ib GFS 5/16 Regular Cut French F ries, 6/5 Ib. Transitioning to New Product Rapid Russet 3/8 Crinkle Cut French Kitchen Essentials 3/ 8 Crinkle Cut Transitioning Fries, 6/5 Ib. French Fries, 6/5 Ib. to New Product Legout Sodium-Free Chicken Base, Legout Low-Sodium Chicken Base, Vendor 12/1 Ib. 12/1 Ib. Non-foods & Beverage Solo Bare Printed Hot Paper Cups, 20 oz., 40 ct. N/A N/A Vendor Solo Bare Printed Hot Paper Cups, 16 oz., 50 ct. N/A N/A Vendor Solo Bare Printed Hot Paper Cups, 12 oz., 50 ct. N/A N/A Vendor APRIL 22, Gordon Food Service

7 Page 6 of 18 SUPPLY ISSUES Short Term The following items are expected to see short-term supply issues. That means the product will be out of stock or running extremely low on stock for less than two weeks. Suggested substitutions may not be exact product matches. Please check with your Customer Development Specialist for specific product information. PLEASE NOTE Items designated with an asterisk (*) are either new or have changed this week. KEY (DCs Affected): SP Springfield, BR Brighton, CL Clay, KN Kenosha Item Pack Description SUB ETA Issue- Affected DC Center of the Plate Ib. GFS Chilean Atlantic Sa lmon, 6 oz Apr. 29 All Fruits, Vegetables & Dairy ct. Danno n Oikos Nonfat Vanilla Greek N/A End of All Yogurt, 5.3 oz. April ct. Dannon Oikos Nonfat Strawberry Greek N/A End of All Yogurt, 5.3 oz. April ct. Dannon Oikos Nonfat Peach Greek N/A End of All Yogurt, 5.3 oz. April Non-foods & Beverage ct. Pactiv EarthChoice Large Containers, 9 x 9 x Apr. All Long Term The following items are expected to see long-term supply issues. That means the product will be out of stock or running extremely low on stock for longer than two weeks. Suggested substitutions may not be exact product matches. Please check with your Customer Development Specialist for specific product information. PLEASE NOTE Items designated with an asterisk (*) are either new or have changed this week. KEY (DCs Affected): SP Springfield, BR Brighton, CL Clay, KN Kenosha Item Pack Description SUB ETA Center of the Plate * /3 Ib. GFS Flounder Fillets Boneless Skinless, 3-5 oz. Issue- Affected DC N/A TBD All * /43 oz. Kitchen Essentials Skip Jack Tuna May 14 All APRIL 22, Gordon Food Service

8 Page 7 of 18 Chunk Light Flakes Pouch Sub description is 6/66.5 oz. * Ib. Claw Pasteurized Cooked Cra b Meat TBD All * Ib. Red King Crab Legs & C laws, ct. N/A TBD All Ib. Phillips Foods Cooked Crab Meat TBD All Ib. Rock P&D Tail-off Shrimp, ct TBD All Substitute item is Florida Pink Shrimp Peeled & Deveined ct / 12 ct. GFS Maryland-Style Blue Crab Meat TBD All Cakes, 60% Crab / 5 lb. IQF Shell-On Brown Shrimp, U TBD All lb. South African Shell-On Lobster Tails, 4.5- N/A In and All 5 oz. Out Ib. Snow Crab Clusters, 5-8 oz TBD All Two sub options on this item, one is Greenland and the other is Alaskan Ib. Canadian Snow Crab Clusters, TBD All 10 oz. & Up Substitute item is Alaskan and 40 Ib Ib. Canadian Snow Crab Clusters, TBD All 8-10 oz. & Up Substitute item is Alaskan Grocery & Bakery * /15.5 oz. Resources Bread Puree Mix M/A May /80 oz. Sara Lee Fudge Nut Iced Brownies, May All 12 x / 11 Ib. Roland Basmati Rice TBD All Fruits, Vegetables & Dairy * /4 Ib. Anchor Breaded Jalapeno Red Stuffed N/A TBD All /#10 GFS Mixed Fruit in Light Syrup Aug All /#10 Imported Mushroom Stems and Pieces Early All in Water /1 Ib. Mushroom Stems and Pieces in Brine Early All 2013 Non-foods & Beve rage ct. Solo Plastic Plates Black N/A TBD All ct. Solo 7 Plastic Plates Black N/A TBD All ct. Solo 7 Plastic Plates Blue N/A TBD All ct. Pactiv Versatainer Plastic Containers With Lids Black, 7.5 x 9.88 x 1.75 N/A TBD All /128 oz. Tropicana Pure Premium Heavy-Pulp TBD All Orange Juice /1.5 gal. Coffee-Mate Liquid Nondairy Creamer N/A TBD All /40 ct. Pactiv Delitainer Plastic Deli Containers TBD All Clear, 16 oz /24 ct. Pactiv Delitainer Plastic Deli Containers TBD All with L ids Clear, 12 oz /48 ct. Pactiv Delitainer Plastic Deli Containers TBD All Clear, 8 oz /50 ct. Pactiv EarthChoice Dome Lids for 12 & 20 oz. cups, White N/A TBD All NGES

9 Page 8 of 18 PRICE CHANGES Grocery/Bakery Items price Changes effective 4/29/2013 Price Decreases Vendor Lifehouse Dakota Growers Kens Dressings Change 0.7% decrease on Pepper Mill 0.7% decrease 6% decrease on mayo, and a 2.5% decrease on dressings and sauces Price Increases Vendor Best Maid Krispak UNFI Wixon Schwann s Change 2.5% increase from RFP 12% increase on almonds 1% increase on Annie s cookies 4.5% increase across the board 3% increase across the board Ready-Set-Serve Fresh Cut Fruit Sun Rich item costs are increasing from 5-10 percent Raw product fruit procurement, sizing, and yields are factors in cost structure Freight costs are up Finished product packaging cost has increased Labor costs are up

10 Page 9 of 18 MARKET UPDATES Center of the Plate Beef Category Last Week Current Week Next 3 Week Trend USDA Beef Cutout Value Flat Flat Up USDA 112A CH, Hvy, Ribeye Flat Down Up USDA 168 CH, Top Round Flat Flat Down USDA 185B CH, Hvy, Ball Tip Flat Up Up USDA 180, CH Strip, 0x1 Bnls Up Up Up USDA 193 CH Flank Steak Flat Down Flat USDA 189A CH, Hvy Tender Up Flat Flat USDA 189A SE, Hvy Tender Flat Down Up Beef Beef prices are mixed, with most middle-meats on the defense. Cooler weather now combined with above-average precipitation are dominating the weather headlines, extending the delay to grilling season. Rib eyes have retreated back near their January lows, making them a good value proposition for those willing to take a position. The grading is beginning to deteriorate, helping increase the spread between choice and select. Top butts are beginning to garnish the attention of retailers looking to put beef promotions together for May. Pork Category Last Week Current Week Next 3 Week Trend Yellow Sheet Cutout Value Up Up Up USDA Loins, 1/4 in. Trim, 21# DN Down Flat Up USDA Back Ribs, 2.00UP# Up Down Up USDA Spare Ribs 4.25#DN Down Down Up USDA Hams, 20-23# Down Up Flat USDA Bellies, Trimmed 14-16# Flat Flat Flat Pork Market participants continue to enjoy low price levels. Loin prices are at their lowest level in the past five years, which may make boneless loins attract retail-feature activity in May. Ribs are being featured at the casual serve, mid-tier restaurant as an alternative to forecasted high price levels of beef and new price levels in chicken. Ham prices have reached their low and are finding renewed life as inventory is put up for graduation parties and early summer events. APRIL 22, Gordon Food Service

11 Page 10 of 18 Poult ry Category Last Week Current Week Next 3 Week Trend Chicken Georgia Dock Up Up Up Jumbo BNLS/SKNLS Breast Tndr Out Up Up Up Select BNLS/SKNLS Breast Full Bttfly Tndr Out Up Up Up Breast Tenders Clipped Flat Up Up BNLS/SKNLS Thigh Meat Flat Up Up Jumbo Wings Down Flat Down Medium Wings Down Flat Down Turkey UB Hens East 12# Frozen Flat Flat Flat UB Toms East, 22# Frozen Flat Flat Flat UB Turkey Breast East, 8-10# Flat Down Flat Chicken White-meat chicken is at high price levels not seen since The healthy aspect of white meat is attracting consumers to major fast food operators as they heavily promote chicken over burger or bone-in product. Tenders are following suit and thigh meat is attracting interest in light of the bird flu in China. Wings have found a floor and the new price level is getting orders written. Turkey The market is sporadic with some plants reporting orders for whole birds, and others searching for business. Breast meat prices fell again early this week as sellers continue to search for the floor. Fewer eggs and poultry are being added to barns as producers continue to reduce the growing stock in an effort to reduce future inventory. White Shrimp At the moment, white shrimp prices remain firm to strong. However, recent market updates continue to rumor that prices may elevate further due to the affects of EMS (Early Mortality Syndrome). Supplies on popular sizes (16-20 and ct.) shrimp continue to be tight and overall, the attitude of the market is firm to strong with projected higher replacement offerings. Tiger Shrimp Tiger shrimp prices are reported to be stretched as supplies continue to be tight on larger sizes. Trading remains active as buyers seek to ensure inventory coverage amid higher replacement costs. Thailand imports reportedly continued a downward trend due to the impact of EMS as well as exports into other markets rather than the U.S. As a result, Thailand exports continue to decline. The new season is slated to begin in May.

12 Page 11 of 18 Domestic Gulf Shrimp The market for domestic headless, shell-on shrimp was unchanged, however full steady to firm undertones persist. On-hand supplies are eroding, and trading among packers is ongoing. Additional premiums are being sought. Crab Pasteurized: Industry price offers remain firm and supply continues to be adequate for current demand. This supply balance is anticipated to persist for the coming quarter of Typically demand is at its highest during the summer season due to operator seasonality, and this is fully expected to stimulate price increases. Snow Crab: The quota for this year s Alaska Bering Sea opilio snow crab fishery, which got underway in mid-january, is 66 million pounds (30,000 metric tons), a 25% decline from last year s harvest. Although the cut is significant, the quota is still the second highest in the past 14 years. The market is expected to remain steady to firm on 5-8 s; currently supplies are adequate for active demand. Where as 8-up supply remains short. Canadian Snow Crab: 5-8 ct. crab in the Newfoundland and Gulf markets adjusted higher; supplies range adequate to barely adequate for a moderate to active demand. Availability of the 8 & up and 10 & up is still an issue. King C rab: The king crab market adjusted lower on 6-9 ct. and ct. red and ct. golden; supplies range adequate to fully adequate for a quiet demand. The balance of the red and golden markets is unchanged. A few still lower offerings are noted on 9-12 ct. and ct. reds and ct. golden crab. Lobster North. Atlantic: Supplies of 7-8 oz. and larger tails are tight. 6-7 oz. tails are full steady to firm with some higher offerings. 3-4 oz. through 5-6 oz. tails are full steady with a few higher offerings noted. Brazils: Overall, Brazil tails are firm as seasonal supplies ebb. Available supplies continue to be challenged on prime size 6 oz. and subsequently prices for Brazils remain firm in the market. Caribbean tails are full steady for a quiet to fair demand. A few offerings trend higher on large tails. Honduras and Nicaragua seasons concluded the end of February. West Aussies: West. Aussies continue to experience some degree of unavailability and prices elevations are likely eminent. South African: Popular H size tails continue to be the highest in demand but the shortest in supply. This has consequently added pressure on both supply and price on the next larger sized G tails.

13 Page 12 of 18 Sea Scallops Domestic: Domestically, prices continue to be very strong while elevating slightly over the past month. Market pricing and current speculation is that prices will rise slightly over the coming months, especially considering the 35 percent cut in the new season quota. This is expected to be a major contributing factor toward elevating future prices to even higher levels. There is also a concern with the biomass being smaller; consequently a size projection for 2013 reveals an alarming reduction in U/10 availability. This will drive up the price for U10 s; resulting in an increased demand for U/12 s and U/15 s. Canada: The market for Canadian scallops continues to show signs of steadiness. Similar to Domestic Scallops, the impending winter months do draw suspicion indicating the price will remain firm due to the threat of adverse weather. With the exception of 30/40 ct. scallops, which continue to experience limited availability, overall landings are reported to be adequate for current demand. Peru: Industry updates continue to report challenged supplies and strong prices in the south. Adverse weather in northern Peru, the primary region for scallop handling, is accredited to be an ongoing factor in the restricted supply situation. Atlantic Cod Atlantic cod prices continue to exhibit some nominal softening due to poor market conditions and an excess in available raw materials. Pacific Cod Post Chinese New Year speculation persists that Pacific cod prices will potentially soften even further as supply is reportedly abundant due to the increase in Atlantic cod quota (33 percent increase). Haddock Haddock imports have been rising steadily due to the increase in supplies of frozen product. Frozen haddock continues to be a good value due to yet another bump in the big Barents Sea quota, which is shared by Norway and Russia. Pollock The Pollock market remains steady following the opening of the fishing season in Alaska; prices for fresh east coast Pollock are up drastically as catches are well below what was expected. Despite the challenges on the fresh side, raw material prices for frozen remain stable for the moment. There are noted shortages on small size fillets, specifically 2-4 oz. fillets and this could lead to elevated prices in the long term. Processors are reporting strong sales in all global markets. This is expected to keep prices firm through the first quarter of 2013.

14 Page 13 of 18 Grouper Grouper supplies, of both Mexican and Chinese origin, continue to be consistent and prices are expected to remain firm. Mahi Mahi Peru remains the leading fillet supplier, accounting for 52 percent of the imports, followed by Ecuador, which supplied 30 percent of the frozen fillets. Although the market demand remains steady, there is some softening in prices in queue due to the amount of available supply. Ocean Perch Raw material prices for Chinese frozen fillets remain very strong, especially on smaller sizes as processors are reporting challenges with available raw materials. Subsequently, firming prices are expected to slow exports for processors as buyers seek lower price alternatives. The sales outlook remains uncertain current anticipation is prices will remain elevated, suggesting ocean perch could be a less appealing protein. Tuna Supply and demand continue to experience good balance and subsequently prices remain stable. Market updates show that steadiness should continue on Tuna through the first quarter. Indonesia, a primary sourcing origin, has entered typhoon season and fishing will be dependent on suitable weather. Salmon The Northeast fillet market remains firm as demand continues to be reported as moderate to active with available supply adequate as well. The Chilean market remains adjusted slightly higher on all fillets, higher offerings continue to be noted on all sizes. Swai (Vietnamese Pangasius) Last week the average U.S. duty rate applied to non-exempt Vietnamese pangasius exporters was raised over $.30 per lb.; this week the market responded promptly with prices shooting up as the change will raise costs throughout the entire supply chain overnight. Tilapia The market has held steady since December even though replacement costs started to tick up in the forth quarter of The cost of feed has risen considerably in the last nine months and is a significant factor in the cost of raising tilapia to maturity. Accordingly, frozen fillet prices are expected to rise into the coming months and there is some suspicion that supply on larger fillet sizes will be challenging. Zander Both supply and demand for Zander continue to operate in tandem. Replenishment prices on larger size pike perch did experience nominal decreases over the winter months. However, industry eagerness

15 Page 14 of 18 points out that Euro Perch may experience tight supply coming into the spring while the smaller zander, notably and gm. sizes, are expected to remain limited on supply and firm in price. Perch Overall demand for lake fish remains stagnant. Elevated costs from the lack of supply over the last 2-3 years are blamed to be the reason for the decline in popularity. Yellow lake perch inventories are reportedly abundant. Walleye Walleye supply and prices continue to experience steadiness. Processors report that both prices and supply are expected to remain constant through the spring. With the exception of some limited availability on smaller sizes, primarily 4-6 and 6-8 oz. Whitefish Market updates report that Whitefish prices are expected to remain firm through the spring season. Processors account that limited supply is the primary factor for current market conditions. The new season is expected to commence in early summer. However, some sporadic fishing does take place over the winter months in Lake Michigan and Lake Erie, if weather perm its. Grocery & Bakery Grocery & Bakery Category Last Week Current Week Next 3 Week Trend High Gluten Flour Flat Up Down Semolina Pasta Flour Flat Up Flat Soybean Oil Flat Down Down Sugar Flat Down Flat Wheat We have moved into a full-blown weather market for wheat. Late freezes have damaged winter wheat in the U.S. and Europe. Wet, cold weather now threatens the timely planting of spring seeded wheat and corn. Many Canadian and Red River Valley farmers remember the wet/cold spring of 2011 when both acreage and yields of spring wheat were reduced. Farmers who switched acreage from wheat to canola or soybeans in 2011 were rewarded with better yields and returns. Reports of farmers switching seed orders to canola and soybeans are already circulating. Futures prices for Minneapolis Spring wheat are up 7 percent and Kansas City hard red winter wheat up 5 percent since April 1 st. Soybeans With uncertainty of Argentina s exports due to slow port operations and possibility of farmers holding back sales of beans, we have seen recovery of soybean oil futures throughout the week. In addition, firm cash markets have helped with the revival caused by large speculative sales which recently dumped prices.

16 Page 15 of 18 NOPA soybean crush report is reporting domestic crush being down although meal and oil yields are both up. Projections for summer are tight with U.S. supplies bringing higher futures prices and tighter basis levels. With new-crop coming into play this fall we may see some relief of tight old-crop supplies, therefore keeping prices lower than anticipated. Sugar While sugar prices do not look to be climbing any time soon there are some major events that could have an impact. First, China has ramped up their imports, which should only affect short-term prices. We ve been talking about Brazil s sugar production coming online for quite some time now; their first estimates have production up 11.5 percent. To the North in Mexico, production through April 6 th was up 25.1 percent on the year. When you look domestically prices are remaining flat but it is the opposite on planting numbers; the USDA reports that planted acreage has declined 2.4 percent. All this is pointing to is that U.S. will have a bigger investment in Mexican exports. Fruits, Vegetables & Dairy Lettuce Market is higher. Supplies are light and Salinas is not ready as growers transition from Huron (San Joaquin Valley) to Salinas Valley. Markon Best Available is still being packed due to light carton weight. All Markon Fresh Crop iceberg lettuce is now being harvested out of Salinas. Quality is good but head size is large and puffy. Weights are ranging lbs. for Markon Best Available brand in Huron/Salinas, lbs. in Huron/Salinas for field select. Romaine Market is steady. Supplies are done out of Huron. Salinas Valley is now going and quality is great. Markon Fresh Crop is available. Weights are ranging from lbs. for Markon Fresh Crop brand and lbs. for field select. Green Leaf Market is steady. Supplies are finished out of Huron. Salinas is now harvesting Markon Fresh Crop. Quality is very good. Weights are ranging from 23/25 lbs. for Markon Best Crop brand and in the 21/23 lbs. range for field select. Green Beans Green bean prices have fallen back down with plentiful supplies available throughout Florida. Quality has also improved and the market should remain steady for the next couple of weeks.

17 Page 16 of 18 Berries Blueberry volumes are increasing out of Florida, which is helping to drive prices down. The market should continue to fall as Florida growers ramp up their production. Mexican production of blackberries has fallen off which has pushed prices up. Raspberry supplies remain hit or miss with occasional shortages expected to continue for the next couple of weeks. Prices also remain high with little relief expected until later in the spring. Green Cabbage Portions of Florida and Texas are finishing for the season this week, leaving a very small gap as we transition into Georgia grown for the spring, leading to a small price increase this week. Once Georgia begins harvesting heavier supplies in a couple of weeks, we anticipate the market will soften. Carrots Great supplies and steady prices continue from Georgia for both jumbo and cello pack carrots. Citrus Prices are rising as the Florida citrus season winds down. Grapefruit and orange juice are expected to continue shipping though April, and once they are finished we will be transitioning to California product. Tangerines have finished for the season as well. Cucumbers Market is steady in Florida and Mexico as supply and demand appears to be running relatively parallel at this time. Quality from both regions is excellent. Georgia s crop is expected to start in the next couple of weeks. Seedless Cucumbers Lack of sunshine in the greenhouse growing areas of Canada have limited supplies and pushed prices up. Quality remains excellent on the imported product from both Canada and Mexico however and the market is expected to stabilize. Eggplant Mexico continues to be the main supplier for the short term, and this is a problem as quality is fair-to-poor. Florida s spring crop is starting in a very light way, and we are going to transition to that region if possible in hopes of finding better quality. Limes Supplies of limes are finally improving, and just in time for the Cinco de Mayo push. Quality remains excellent and prices have fallen. The market is expected to continue to soften as we move into the spring.

18 Page 17 of 18 Onions Supplies of red onions are extremely limited at this time and as a result prices are sky high. Once better supplies begin to arrive from Texas prices should begin to fall back down but that may be a few weeks away yet. Spanish onions are in much better supply, especially on the jumbo sizes, which has led to stable prices and good supply. Green Peppers Mexico is starting to produce heavier volume, which is starting to cause Florida shippers to react in order to compete by softening their prices. Quality on everything we are sourcing from the Sunshine State is outstanding. Hothouse Peppers Red, yellow, and orange peppers continue to be available from both Mexico and Canada with very good quality and bottom of the market prices. Prices are expected to rise over the next few weeks however as the Mexican crop begins to wind down. Radishes Florida and Arizona continue to produce ample supplies. Michigan is forecasted to start in late May or early June, weather permitting. Squash While markets for butternut, spaghetti, and acorn squash remain high, the spring crops from Mexico are beginning to improve supply. Prices remain high as many retailers and vendors attempt to restock their depleted inventories but relief is on the horizon as the volumes are increasing from Mexico. Zucchini and Yellow Squash Good supplies in Florida and Mexico are holding the market steady and we are sourcing Markon brand when available from our partners in Florida. Dairy Category Last Week Current Week Block Cheese Up Up Barrel Cheese Up Up Butter Up Up Large Eggs Down NC Medium Eggs Down NC Small Eggs NC NC

19 Page 18 of 18 Cheese Milk is plentiful, but uncertainties are still driving the market including exports and low expectations for summer production. Traders are waiting to see the Milk Production Report due out tomorrow. Speculators feel you may see a correction in the market, but nothing significant. Eggs Retail demand is fair. Supplies of extra-large and large are fully adequate. The market is holding at current prices. Butter Despite strong milk production in the U.S., concerns over drought conditions in New Zealand and potential supply shortages there have driven butter pricing up sharply in the past two weeks as fear of potential short supplies this fall stem from active and high prices export markets.